Blessings are to be shared
“He who would be blest, let him scatter blessings.”
— James Allen
Reflection
“He who would be blest, let him scatter blessings.” In a few words, James Allen overturns the way most of us think about receiving. We wait to feel blessed and then promise we’ll be generous. We wait for more time, more money, more energy — and only then will we start giving. Allen says it works the other way around.
Blessing is not a reward for finally having enough. Blessing is the natural harvest of a life that sows kindness, encouragement, and help into the lives of others. When you make it your aim to lift burdens instead of add to them, you change the climate of every room you walk into. People begin to associate you with relief, not pressure; with hope, not heaviness.
Think back to someone who showed up for you at the right time with a word, a gift, a favor, or even just a listening ear. Their act may have seemed small to them, but it landed big in your life. That’s the power of scattering blessings. You rarely see the full impact, but it’s always greater than you imagine.
Waiting until you “arrive” before you start giving keeps you stuck. Start where you are, with what you have. A sincere compliment, a short note, a small generosity — these are seeds. Over time they grow into a life that is, in Allen’s words, truly blest.
And that’s worth thinking about.
— Vic Johnson
Putting It Into Practice
- Think of one person you can encourage today and send them a short, sincere message of appreciation or support.
- Look for a small, practical way to lift someone’s burden—an errand, a favor, a listening ear—and follow through.
- Before bed, review your day and note every opportunity you had to scatter blessings, whether you took it or not.
One Question To Ponder
If your life were measured not by what you’ve received but by what you’ve given, how rich would you consider yourself?
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